Underwater World

Opened in 1989 at Mooloolaba on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast, Australia, this Oceanarium has been variously described over the years as Australia’s best, largest and most spectacular. The centre-piece of the facility is an 80m acrylic tunnel through which visitors are transported through three environments: a shark and predator tank, a coral reef, and a cave with its large groupers and cods.

Overview

An Ocean Discovery exhibit floor displays thirteen smaller aquariums varying from 1,000 litres to one at 20,000 litres. This space is supplemented with a large touch pool providing visitors the opportunity to touch and hold anything from sea stars to small sharks.

Marine mammals are catered for with a 400 seat stadium giving visitors an insight into the natural behaviours of sea lions and fur seals.

Australian freshwater life focuses on life in a billabong (lagoon) with its Australian freshwater crocodiles, barramundi and specialty species such as the Australian lungfish.

Underwater World owes its continued success to a formula of innovative, cost-effective design and although now nearly twenty years on, the aquarium continues to command one of the highest quality tourist profiles in Australia.

Crossley Architects to are proud to have been involved with Underwater World Mooloolaba through their association with Architects Ellick & Partners.

Preliminary research and design development for this project commenced in 1987 and construction was completed in 1993.